A Science-Based Framework for Happiness Zoom Meeting

February 24^th at 5:00 PM EST for a discussion on Happiness and How to Achieve It In Our Busy Lives!  The Zoom link is at the end of this eblast.

Based on a suggestion from our classmate Jacquie Prue, I contacted Astrid Baumgardner, MHC Class of 1973, who is an accomplished lawyer, career coach, and certified happiness facilitator, among other things. She teaches creativity and career entrepreneurship at Yale University’s School of Music and she recently gave a TEDx talk on Cracking the Code on Creativity:  The Secret to Full-Blast Living.

I had a great conversation with Astrid and it is very exciting that she has offered to lead a discussion for us on a science-based, fully researched approach to achieving Happiness which will also include action steps for us to apply after our meeting.

I asked Astrid to introduce the Happiness Framework to us, and also tell us a little about herself.  Here is what she sent:

SPIRE and Life Balance:  The Science-Based Framework for Greater Happiness and Fulfillment

As busy, accomplished MHC alumnae, many of you undoubtedly are involved in a lot of activities, whether professional or volunteer, along with nurturing relationships, staying healthy in your bodies and your minds, keeping your intellects alive and strong, managing a household and your finances, having some fun activities, and a host of other things!  How can you stay on top of all your commitments and still feel in balance?

Here’s what can help:  the science-based SPIRE model of happiness! I invite you to join me on February 24, 2025 from 5-6:30 PM EST for a 90-minute interactive session on SPIRE and Life Balance.

 SPIRE is a holistic model of well-being comprised of 5 elements:

S: spiritual well-being

P: physical well-being

I: intellectual well-being

R: relational well-being

E: emotional well-being

In our session on February 24, we will delve into the following:

1. First, we will learn one key principle underlying each of the five SPIRE elements;
2. We will then explore and experience practices to incorporate these principles into your lives; and
3. We will learn how implement SPIRE practices into your life by to setting small, manageable action steps and experience greater happiness and balance.

The session is highly interactive and includes spot-coaching, large and small group exercises and a Q&A session where I can answer your questions and get you started on a life of greater fulfillment!

Looking forward to seeing you on February 24!

About Astrid Baumgardner

I am passionate about helping people to live happier, more fulling and successful lives and I love what I do! I am a lawyer, career coach, certified happiness facilitator, speaker and author of the book, Creative Success Now. I teach creativity and career entrepreneurship at Yale University’s School of Music and I recently gave a TEDx talk on Cracking the Code on Creativity:  The Secret to Full-Blast Living.  I am also a certified happiness facilitator from the Happiness Studies Academy, bringing the research-based SPIRE framework of happiness and well-being to arts organizations and their leaders

I graduated magna cum laude from Mount Holyoke College in 1973 as a Romance Language major and from Rutgers Newark Law School in 1976 where I was on the law review. After nearly 25 years of practicing law in New York City, I transitioned to roles in non-profit executive leadership and then trained to be a life coach. I launched my coaching company, Astrid Baumgardner Coaching+Training, in 2009 and joined the faculty of the Yale School of Music in 2011.

As a coach, I help arts leaders and professional musicians step into authentic leadership, achieve career success, and live happier, more fulfilling lives. I also coach and guest lecture on creative success and happiness at music conservatories and summer music festivals in the US.  In addition, I conduct leadership training and SPIRE workshops for arts leaders.

A lifelong amateur pianist and champion of new music, I serve on three US non-profit arts boards and am a previous member of the Advisory Board of the Mount Holyoke College Art Museum.

I am a serious amateur classical pianist and I live in New York City with my husband where we enjoy the rich cultural life that our city offers.

For more information, please visit https://www.astridbaumgardner.com.